[QNT G]

It's interesting to see prices across the board falling (as I knew they would, which is why I didn't want to pay inflated prices), yet when I had cash burning a hole in my pocket only 6 weeks ago, no one wanted to sell at a realistic price (apart from one, obviously, and so he got my cash )! Good luck with the sale anyway.

Only bad condition ones and desparate sellers will allow the prices to fall.
Book prices suck and are a false guide for cars of rarity such as FRP's
If only 483 (actual figure) were made then some must be written off or out of the country by now.
Therefore if you have a good clean low milage example that has had many parts replaced etc
then around the Å“10k mark is still realistic. It was a Å“24k car new remember.

For all those that want to pay around Å“7k go get one but be prepared to have to spend around Å“2.5k
bringing it up to a good spec again.

Also the time of year does not help. Come the spring then you will get many more buyers. Then it will return to being a sellers market once more.

I am seeling my immaculate FRP#093 and will not budge from Å“10k as it is well worth that.

[Rog]

You're correct to a degree. Your point about the initial sale price is as we now know irrelevant as most agree that the the car was extremely overpriced when new (hence many did not sell as new except to the few people to whom money was no object). Many were first registered by the selling dealer and the subsequent marketing campaign to sell the remainder was very costly (but shows how hard Ford had to work to sell them; and lets not forget it was supposed to be a run of 1000!). But again, it is a simple mater of supply and demand, which we all know is unpredictable. The fact is that they are great cars, but there are other great cars available for Å“10k plus, which the cars then come into competition with. Unless you have cash to spare, then buying a low mileage car is fine, but as soon as 12 months and 6-8 thousand miles are put on then it tumbles in value, so you either park it (and expensive ornament) or use it (and lose money due to increased mileage), hence for the average punter it is best to buy the best car for the best price, and everyone has their own budget to match. Anyway, economic rant over; let's get some driving done!

[beyreal]

Well my Renault Clio Dci has been serviced and mot for another year, and im in no rush to sell FRP 271 and will wait for the right price.

FRP 271 still available for offers over Å“10500

No timewasters, dreamers or test pilots thanks


PM or email me at beyreal2000@yahoo.com for futher information, thanks.

[pumarv6]

...the subsequent marketing campaign to sell the remainder was very costly (but shows how hard Ford had to work to sell them;

I'm curious - what was the subsequent marketing campaign?

[Rog]

I recall reading in the motoring press at the time of their original release that Ford was spending huge sums to shift them doing all sorts of promotions (I forget the exact detail, others may remember). I only remember this as I had a Scooby at the time and they kept comparing the prices of the two and their respective performances, effectively suggesting the FRP was overpriced for the performance on offer (notwithstanding it was a great handling and looking car with some bespoke parts).

[pumarv6]

I recall reading in the motoring press at the time of their original release that Ford was spending huge sums to shift them doing all sorts of promotions (I forget the exact detail, others may remember).

I'm sure some of the original FRP purchasers might chip in, but afaik there were no promotions (discounts/ special finance etc) by Ford to shift the FRP. There was one press advert which appeared in Car Magazine August 2000 (page 54-55).

Low customer demand (no doubt due to the high price) eventually led to FRP's being released on Ford's Manager lease scheme (vehicle first registered to FMC care of a named manager) - Without that, construction would have otherwise slowed/even stopped, as the conversion process legally required the vehicle to be registered to an owner first.

[Rog]

Interesting last point there that I wasn't aware of; effectively built to order? Of course there have been a number of similar instances where cars have been designed and built but then fail to be able to be sold at a sufficient price to recoup development and production costs (much to the annoyance of the finance department); but these days they are seen as `loss leaders', and as long as it is part of the strategy from the outset then manufacturers are slightly more comfortable. espeically if it causes sales of other models through the `halo' effect. I wonder if Ford was ever able to quantify any halo effect from the `overpriced' FRP?

[pumarv6]

I wonder if Ford was ever able to quantify any halo effect from the `overpriced' FRP?

FRP owners who attended the Boreham 2003 FRP presentation by Peter Beattie, heard a high-level Ford marketing chap say that FRP was one of the first cars that they first began to appreciate the halo effect with. The feeling was that the positive press coverage was totally out of proportion with the small number of cars produced.

Out of interest, the break-even point for the program was 750 vehicles - So it fell significantly short.

[AndersA]

I'm sure some of the original FRP purchasers might chip in, but afaik there were no promotions (discounts/ special finance etc) by Ford to shift the FRP. There was one press advert which appeared in Car Magazine August 2000 (page 54-55).

Low customer demand (no doubt due to the high price) eventually led to FRP's being released on Ford's Manager lease scheme (vehicle first registered to FMC care of a named manager) - Without that, construction would have otherwise slowed/even stopped, as the conversion process legally required the vehicle to be registered to an owner first.

Ed is correct here - the cars were only built to order and registered to an owner first and could only be bought from Ford's sports dealerships, where the mechanics had specialist training in maintening them. The 'shells' were then sent to Tickford at Daventry for conversion to FRP and the early owners able to collect from there and this included a tour of the site and explanation of the conversion process. I was able to do this myself and it was all part of buying such an unusual car from new. No cash discounts (I wish!) but Ford Racing gave us loads of freebies, trips and track days, the most notable being the 5-star drive for 30 of us to Le Mans in 2000. There was no great advertising in the press afaik - I think Ford Racing relied on having enough buyers from the Tickford connection, the magazine articles at the time and the interest in the FRP on display at the Motor Show in Earls Court.

I think there were around 350 original owners (Ed will know the exact number) and the rest of the 500 went as management cars before being sold on to the public.

Lisa might be able to add anything I have missed.

Alex

[V4FRP]

Ed is correct here - the cars were only built to order and registered to an owner first and could only be bought from Ford's sports dealerships, where the mechanics had specialist training in maintening them. The 'shells' were then sent to Tickford at Daventry for conversion to FRP and the early owners able to collect from there and this included a tour of the site and explanation of the conversion process. I was able to do this myself and it was all part of buying such an unusual car from new. No cash discounts (I wish!) but Ford Racing gave us loads of freebies, trips and track days, the most notable being the 5-star drive for 30 of us to Le Mans in 2000. There was no great advertising in the press afaik - I think Ford Racing relied on having enough buyers from the Tickford connection, the magazine articles at the time and the interest in the FRP on display at the Motor Show in Earls Court.

I think there were around 350 original owners (Ed will know the exact number) and the rest of the 500 went as management cars before being sold on to the public.

Lisa might be able to add anything I have missed.

Alex

Alex / Ed
Could either of you tell me whether the pres cars were manufactured prior to the Tickford contract or were they the very first cars built by Tickford?

Dave

[pumarv6]

The order for V1 through V6 FRP (FMC01-06) was placed on the 19th October 1999 and the cars were built at Tickford. Tickford already had experience with FRP assembly, having worked with two training cars (FMC07 and 08).

FRP's built solely at Boreham were the Prototype (P17 FMS), the Geneva Showcar, the LHD FRP and the second version Showcar.

[V4FRP]

The order for V1 through V6 FRP (FMC01-06) was placed on the 19th October 1999 and the cars were built at Tickford. Tickford already had experience with FRP assembly, having worked with two training cars (FMC07 and 08).

FRP's built solely at Boreham were the Prototype (P17 FMS), the Geneva Showcar, the LHD FRP and the second version Showcar.

Thanks Ed

As V4 was first registered on 26th October 1999 was he registered prior to being built by Tickford? I'm fascinated by the sequence of importing building etc.

Dave

[Gaydek]

OT

FRP's built solely at Boreham were the Prototype (P17 FMS), the Geneva Showcar, the LHD FRP and the second version Showcar.

LHD FRP? Anything more about it? Who has it now?

[Sex Kitten]

OT

LHD FRP? Anything more about it? Who has it now?

thought alan had this?

[pumarv6]

Thanks Ed

As V4 was first registered on 26th October 1999 was he registered prior to being built by Tickford? I'm fascinated by the sequence of importing building etc.

Dave

Yes, registered prior to construction - a requirement due to the nature of the conversion process.

LHD FRP? Anything more about it? Who has it now?

As SK has pointed out, Alan at Pumabuild has this now, and Pumabuild.co.uk/forsalefrp1.htm" target="_blank">it's for sale.

[k18dan]

So ed who has Prototype (P17 FMS) now then?

[happy-kat]

So ed who has Prototype (P17 FMS) now then?

it went to the sky crushed.......

[Jessie]

Had to read that twice cos I thought you were saying Jason had it

[k18dan]

it went to the sky crushed.......

That is sad What happened?

[pumarv6]

That is sad What happened?

Pretty much all prototypes end their days in this way...avoids paying various taxes on the overall cost that the vehicle represents. Plus they have usually led hard lives, and are not perfectly finsihed - so should not be in public hands.